Background Information

In October 1969 the 50p joined the 5p (shilling) and 10p (florin) coins in circulation, leaving only the three copper coins - to be introduced on 15 February 1971 - to complete the new series of decimal coins. The design on the reverse of the 50p coin features a symbol of Britannia that has appeared on our coinage since 1672. While this design may have been traditional, the shape of the new 50p coin, an equilateral curve heptagon, was revolutionary. This made it easily distinguishable from round coins both by feel and by sight, while its constant breadth allowed it to roll in vending machines.

With the introduction of smaller 5p and 10p coins in 1990 and 1992 respectively, the 50p became the largest coin in circulation. In October 1994 the Government announced a further review of the United Kingdom coinage. The results revealed a requirement for a smaller 50p coin, which was duly introduced on 1 September 1997.

Since its issue the 50p has been used on several occasions to celebrate important events, each being commemorated by a new reverse design.

The 50p is legal tender for amounts up to £10.

Coin Image

Year of Issue

Designer Information

1969-1982

Britannia

A figure of Britannia, seated beside a lion, with a shield resting against her right side,holding a trident in her right hand and an olive branch in her left hand, with the figure "50" below and the inscription "NEW PENCE" above

Designed by Christopher Ironside

1982-2008

Britannia - revised inscription

A figure of Britannia, seated beside a lion, with a shield resting against her rightside,holding a trident in her right hand and an olive branch in her left hand, with the figure "50" below and the inscription "FIFTY PENCE" above

Designed by Christopher Ironside

2008 -12

A section of the Royal Arms showing elements of the third and fourth quarterings

Designed by Matthew Dent

1973

United Kingdom's accession to the European Economic Community

The inscription "50 PENCE" and the date of the year, surrounded by nine hands, symbolising the nine members of the Community, clasping one another in a mutual gesture of trust, assistance and friendship

Designed by David Wynne

1992-93

United Kingdom's Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the completion of the Single European Market

A representation of a table on which are placed twelve stars, linked by a network of lines to each other and also to twelve chairs around the table, on one of which appear the letters "UK", andwith the dates "1992" and "1993" above and the value "50 PENCE" below

Designed by Mary Milner Dickens

1994

50th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings

A design representing the Allied invasion force heading for Normandy andfilling the sea and sky, together with the value "50 PENCE"

Designed by John Mills

1998

United Kingdom's Presidency of the European Union, and the 25th Anniversary of the United Kingdom's accession to the European Economic Community

A celebratoryarrangement of stars with the letters "EU" between theAnniversary dates "1973" and "1998", and the value 50 PENCE below

Designed by John Mills

1998

50th Anniversary of the National Health Service

A pair of hands set against a pattern of radiating lines with the words "FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY" and the value "50 PENCE",accompanied by the initials "NHS" which appear five times on the outer border

Designed by David Cornell

2000

150th Anniversary of the Public Libraries Act

The turning pages of a book, the Anniversary dates "1850" and "2000", and the value "50 PENCE", all above a classical library building on which appear the words "PUBLIC LIBRARIES" and,withinthe pediment, representations of compact discs

Designed by Mary Milner Dickens

2003

100th Anniversary of the formation of the Women's Social and Political Union

The figure of a suffragette chained to railings andholding a banner on which appear the lettersWSPU, to the right a ballot paper marked with a cross and the words GIVE WOMEN THE VOTE, to the left the value 50 PENCE, and below and to thefar right the Anniversary dates 1903 and 2003

Designed by Mary Milner Dickens

2004

50th Anniversary of the first four-minute mile by Roger Bannister

The legs of a running athlete with a stylised stopwatch in the background and the value 50 PENCE below

Designed by James Butler

2005

250th Anniversary of Samuel Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language

Entries from the Dictionary for the words FIFTYand PENCE, with the figure50 above, and the inscription JOHNSON'S DICTIONARY 1755 below

Designed by Tom Phillips

2006

150th Anniversary of the institution of the Victoria Cross

Depiction of the obverse and reverse of a Victoria Cross with the date 29 JAN 1856 in the centre of the reverse of the Cross, the letters VC to the right and the value FIFTY PENCE below

Designed by Claire Aldridge

2006

150th Anniversary of the institution of the Victoria Cross

Depiction of a soldier carrying a wounded comrade with an outline of the Victoria Cross surrounded by a sunburst effect in the background

Designed by Clive Duncan

2007

Centenary of the Foundation of the Scouting Movement

A fleur-de-lis superimposed over a globe and surrounded by the inscription "BE PREPARED", the dates "1907" and "2007", and the denomination "FIFTY PENCE".

Designed by Kerry Jones

2009

250th anniversary of the foundation of the Royal Botanic Gardens

A design showing the pagoda encircled by a vine and accompanied by the dates “1759” and “2009”, with the word “KEW” at the base of the pagoda

Designed by Christopher Le Brun

2010

Celebrating 100 Years of Girlguiding UK

Designed by Jonathan Evans and Donna Hainan

2011

Celebrating 50 years of the work of WWF

Designed by Matthew Dent

2013

Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the birth of Christopher Ironside

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